I’ve been reading Bob Goff’s book, Love Does, for a while
now. It’s a collection of stories, from every day life, about love in action. I love it! Reading it gets me thinking about my own life, and places where I’ve seen Love
in its purist form. One story that's come to mind lately was the story of
my 18th birthday, and one of my best friends, Sam.
I love birthdays.
Especially mine.
It’s the one-day a year I
allow myself to be unashamedly selfish. It’s my day, dangit. I’m a middle
child, and I normally like to blend in, but not on my birthday. Bring on the attention!
In 2006 I was turning 18, and this was a big deal to me. What seemed to be a bigger deal was my older brother deciding to propose to his future
wife…
on my birthday weekend.
(how dare he).
Now, I’m a December baby, so I already have to share the
season with Jesus, which is a pretty difficult season to be selfish during if you ask me.
So in December of 2006, I was already fighting Jesus for the
spotlight, and now I had to fight my brother? I was worried I would get over
looked, and turn 18 quietly, as if December 16th was just another
day.
Like any teenage girl, I confessed my worries to my friend, Sam.
My friend Sam has a knack for finding adventure. Or maybe she creates it... either
way, when you’re around Sam, it’s bound to be a good time. You often find yourself in situations
where you aren’t quite sure how you got there, or sometimes even were "there" is… but it didn't matter because you had fun and a story to tell.
Anyway,
She gracefully listened to my whining, and came up with a plan.
We called it…. Birthday Week!
(Original, I know).
For the entire week leading up to my birthday, Sam came up
with 18 fun and random things for us to do together and with friends. She
presented me with a note card before each one, which explained the present
activity.
We found a Christmas tree farm, and ran through it.
We went out to breakfast, and she brought surprise guests.
She baked me a cake for Art History class.
We went on a walk in the rain to a friend’s house, who had
joined in the fun and made us dinner.
We went to a park and slid down the slide 18 times.
She made me an 18th birthday CD.
She organized a journal where friends filled it with love,
writing birthday wishes and encouragement.
Such simple, yet thoughtful things. And 18 of them!
Gosh,
she’s the best.
On Friday, as the week was coming to a close, I wondered
what the last activity she had in store for us. I sat at home, waiting for her
to pick me up- ready with the long socks and warm clothes she told me to bring.
As I got in the car, she said, “We’re going ice skating!” So fun, I thought. What a great way to end the week!
But as we drove through town, she all of a sudden had to
turn around.
Apparently something was left at home. It didn’t really faze me, I was just
excited to be with adventuring with Sam.
As we approached her house, the garage door opened, and
there before us, stood 20-30 of my closest friends.
“Surprise!!!”
For me? I couldn’t believe it. Sam had really outdone her
self. As if she hadn’t gone out of her way for Birthday Week already, she
organized a Surprise party too? Man, I have great friends.
Being the week before Christmas Break, I know it’s a busy
time for everyone. And yet, Sam spent all her free moments making Birthday Week
a special thing for me. I turned 18, feeling more loved, more noticed, and more
excited about life. I was humbled by how much she did for me. In the end, I
was able to enter the next weeks of celebrating engagements and Jesus without
focusing on myself anymore.
Sam is a good friend.
No, she’s a great friend.
She has taught me so much about Jesus by the way she loves.
She’s a doer. She writes notes, she cooks people food, she generously gives of
her time and possessions
And she organizes a mean Birthday Week.
And I’m very thankful for her.
#LoveDoes.
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| This is Sam and I. Is this photo even appropriate? I don't know, But She's fun. |
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